Gobierno empresarial: etnografía de un proyecto de cultura organizacional en la Cía. Aceros Ltda

La presente investigación analiza las dinámicas y relaciones sociales de la implementación de un estudio de cultura organizacional en un escenario etnográfico concreto. El propósito del presente trabajo, es analizar el estudio de la cultura organizacional como una técnica de gobierno con unas prácticas específicas, negociadas, consensuadas y establecidas en el marco de la participación de los empleados en el estudio realizado por la empresa.

El fortalecimiento de organizacones terroristas en África a partir de la descentralización de Al Qaeda (2006-2013) a la luz de la teoría de guerra en red

El objetivo de esta monografía es analizar el proceso de descentralización de Al Qaeda a causa del debilitamiento de su centro en Afganistán por la intervención militar de la coalición occidental. Se estudia como Al Qaeda deja de ser una organización jerárquica, comenzando a organizarse en red. Estas trasformaciones se pueden explicar a la luz de los principales postulados de la teoría de Guerra en Red, que incluyen la falta de un liderazgo central, y la distribución en enjambre para atacar. Siguiendo la línea argumentativa, finalmente se demuestra que mediante la expansión de la red, Al Qaeda aún bajo su situación de debilidad ha mantenido vigente la yihad trasnacional a través de las organizaciones filiales en África.

Procesos hopping a través del modelo difusional en materiales nanocristalinos usados para aplicaciones fotovoltaicas

Se presentan los modelos de hopping de rango variable (variable range hopping; VRH), vecinos cercanos (nearest neighbor hopping; NNH) y barreras de potencial presentes en las fronteras de grano; como mecanismos de transporte eléctrico predominantes en los materiales semiconductores para aplicaciones fotovoltaicas. Las medidas de conductividad a oscuras en función de temperatura fueron realizadas para región de bajas temperaturas entre 120 y 400 K con Si y compuestos Cu3BiS2 y Cu2ZnSnSe4. Siguiendo la teoría de percolación, se obtuvieron parámetros hopping y la densidad de estados cerca del nivel de Fermi, N(EF), para todas las muestras. A partir de los planteamientos dados por Mott para VRH, se presentó el modelo difusional, que permitió establecer la relación entre la conductividad y la densidad de estados de defecto o estados localizados en el gap del material. El análisis comparativo entre modelos, evidenció, que es posible obtener mejora hasta de un orden de magnitud en valores para cada uno de los parámetros hopping que caracterizan el material.

Impacto de la innovación tecnológica en las estrategias de YouTube y Google

El concepto de administración ha venido cambiando constantemente a través del tiempo y de las ideologías de diferentes autores que han marcado dicho concepto, en donde se ha podido establecer de mejor forma el significado que ésta ciencia tiene con la innovación y la estrategia. El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar los fundamentos teóricos de la administración, la innovación y la estrategia, para así mostrar los alcances e impactos que estos tienen en las organizaciones visitadas durante la misión empresarial al Silicon Valley, principalmente a YouTube y Google. Para cumplir con dicho objetivo se realizaron encuestas a diferentes trabajadores pertenecientes a las organizaciones, obteniendo así, información valiosa para el estudio realizado. Con la información obtenida de la entrevistas, se logró recopilar información pertinente que permitió concluir que la innovación es un pilar fundamental para el buen funcionamiento de las empresas pertenecientes al Silicon Valley y así mismo ser base indispensable para la creación y formulación de las principales estrategias de las empresas.

Biografía de una Champeta. Producción, Difusión y Distribución de la Música de Picó, en Barranquilla Caribe de Colombia

Desde los años 80’s, en los barrios populares de Cartagena y Barranquilla se ha venido desarrollando un fenómeno musical denominado champeta. Este tipo de música es descendiente de bailes populares conocidos en la tradición regional como casetas o verbenas, en los cuales el eje central son grandes amplificadores de sonido denominados picós y datan aproximadamente del decenio de 1950 del siglo XX . El presente trabajo se inscribe en los estudios sociales de la música en los que se analiza los procesos de creación, difusión y distribución por los que atraviesa una canción de champeta en la ciudad de Barranquilla, Caribe de Colombia. Teniendo en cuenta que dichos procesos responden a una lógica de circulación musical alternativa enmarcada en un contexto en el que la música champeta es marginada y estigmatizada por las élites costeñas y nacionales a través de varios mecanismos discursivos, legales y mediáticos, generando unas formas de circulación musical propias que colindan entre lo informal/ilegal.

El arte de imprimir. Los oficios tipográficos en la ciudad de San José, 1830-1950.

Resumen Estudia el desarrollo de los oficios tipográficos en san José, Costa Rica, desde la introducción y la difusión inicial de la imprenta, en 1830, hasta el año 1960, en que surge una organización técnica y social del trabajo muy diferente. Abstract The article explores the development of typographic labor in San Jose, Costa Rica, from the introduction and initial diffusion of printing in 1830, until 1960, when the technical and social organization of typographic work changed markedly

Algunas consideraciones en torno a la transdisciplinariedad y a la educación superior

Durante los últimos dos siglos se ha venido sosteniendo la neutralidad y apoliticidad de la ciencia, pero se ha pasado por alto que esta, como construcción humana, no puede ostentar un estatus especial. Es decir, está condicionada históricamente al igual que cualquier otra actividad. La ciencia moderna adquirió su actual división disciplinaria en el siglo XIX, en gran parte por el desarrollo del capitalismo industrial que cubrió el orbe y la conformación de estados-nación y su organización dentro del sistema interestatal, de modo que es una particular forma de entender y estudiar la realidad, pero no la única posible. Las elecciones teóricas y metodológicas hechas desde entonces se han impuesto como la forma natural de aprehender la realidad. La fase actual del proceso de la globalización ha puesto de manifiesto que el marco epistemológico decimonónico –y como parte de él, el nacionalismo metodológico– resulta insuficiente en el presente para explicar ciertos fenómenos sistémicos y ha revelado la necesidad de su superación. En el presente contexto histórico se hace más necesario que nunca superar la dependencia académica y la adopción de una actitud crítica para que la división internacional del trabajo académico y la estructuración de una agenda transnacional para la educación no operen en contra de las zonas y poblaciones pobres del mundo. Ello supone que la universidad defina su papel con respecto a la sociedad desde una dimensión política, antes de que decida y realice su propia reforma. La transdisciplinariedad juega un papel principal en la superación de los viejos modelos de la ciencia y la universidad.

Essays on social networks, altruism and information diffusion

This dissertation consists of three standalone articles that contribute to the economics literature concerning technology adoption, information diffusion, and network economics in one way or another, using a couple of primary data sources from Ethiopia. The first empirical paper identifies the main behavioral factors affecting the adoption of brand new (radical) and upgraded (incremental) bioenergy innovations in Ethiopia. The results highlight the importance of targeting different instruments to increase the adoption rate of the two types of innovations. The second and the third empirical papers of this thesis, use primary data collected from 3,693 high school students in Ethiopia, and shed light on how we should select informants to effectively and equitably disseminate new information, mainly concerning environmental issues. There are different well-recognized standard centrality measures that are used to select informants. These standard centrality measures, however, are based on the network topology---shaped only by the number of connections---and fail to incorporate the intrinsic motivations of the informants. This thesis introduces an augmented centrality measure (ACM) by modifying the eigenvector centrality measure through weighting the adjacency matrix with the altruism levels of connected nodes. The results from the two papers suggest that targeting informants based on network position and behavioral attributes ensures more effective and equitable (gender perspective) transmission of information in social networks than selecting informants on network centrality measures alone. Notably, when the information is concerned with environmental issues.

Innovation Diffusion and Biostimulant knowledge in Moroccan agriculture

Our study focused on Morocco investigating the dissemination of PBs amongst farmers belonging to the first pillar of the GMP, located in the Fès-Meknès region. As well as to assess how innovation adoption is influenced by the network of relationships that various farmers are involved in. We adopted an “ego network” approach to identify the primary stakeholders responsible for the diffusion of PBs. We collected data through “face-to-face” interviews with 80 farmers in April and May 2021. The data were processed with the aim of: 1) analysing the total number of main and specific topics discussed between egos and egos’ alters regarding the variation of some egos attributes; 2) analysing egos’ network characteristics using E-Net software, and 3) identifying the significant variables that influence farmers to access knowledge, use and reuse of PBs a Binary Logistic Regression (LR) was applied. The first result disclosed that the main PBs topics discussed were technical positioning, the need to use PBs, knowledge of PBs, and organic PBs. We noted that farmers have specific features: they have a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree; they are specialised in fruits and cereals farming, and they are managers and members of a professional organisation. The second result showed results of SNA: 1) PBs seem to become generally a common argument for farmers who have already exchanged fertiliser information with their alters; 2) we disclosed a moderate heterogeneity in the networks, farmers have access to information mainly from acquaintances and professionals, and 3) we revealed that networks have a relatively low density and alters are not tightly connected to each other. Farmers have a brokerage position in the networks controlling the flow of information about the PBs. LR revealed that both the farmers’ attributes and the networks’ characteristics influence growers to know, use and reuse PBs.

Smart Farming in Italian agriculture: essays on adoption and diffusion dynamics shaping the agricultural digital transition

Smart Farming Technologies (SFT) is a term used to define the set of digital technologies able not only to control and manage the farm system, but also to connect it to the many disruptive digital applications posed at multiple links along the value chain. The adoption of SFT has been so far limited, with significant differences at country-levels and among different types of farms and farmers. The objective of this thesis is to analyze what factors contributes to shape the agricultural digital transition and to assess its potential impacts in the Italian agri-food system. Specifically, this overall research objective is approached under three different perspectives. Firstly, we carry out a review of the literature that focuses on the determinants of adoption of farm-level Management Information Systems (MIS), namely the most adopted smart farming solutions in Italy. Secondly, we run an empirical analysis on what factors are currently shaping the adoption of SFT in Italy. In doing so, we focus on the multi-process and multi-faceted aspects of the adoption, by overcoming the one-off binary approach often used to study adoption decisions. Finally, we adopt a forward-looking perspective to investigate what the socio-ethical implications of a diffused use of SFT might be. On the one hand, our results indicate that bigger, more structured farms with higher levels of commercial integration along the agri-food supply chain are those more likely to be early adopters. On the other hand, they highlight the need for the institutional and organizational environment around farms to more effectively support farmers in the digital transition. Moreover, the role of several other actors and actions are discussed and analyzed, by highlighting the key role of specific agri-food stakeholders and ad-hoc policies, with the aim to propose a clearer path towards an efficient, fair and inclusive digitalization of the agrifood sector.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Derived biomarkers of Isocitrate-Dehydrogenase mutation in diffuse gliomas: a conventional MR and Diffusion Weighted Imaging study.

The introduction of molecular criteria into the classification of diffuse gliomas has added interesting practical implications to glioma management. This has created a new clinical need for correlating imaging characteristics with glioma genotypes, also known as radiogenomics or imaging genomics. Whilst many studies have primarily focused on the use of advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for radiogenomics purposes, conventional MRI sequences still remain the reference point in the study and characterization of brain tumours. Moreover, a different approach may rely on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) usage, which is considered a “conventional” sequence in line with recently published directions on glioma imaging. In a non-invasive way, it can provide direct insight into the microscopic physical properties of tissues. Considering that Isocitrate-Dehydrogenase gene mutations may reflect alterations in metabolism, cellularity, and angiogenesis, which may manifest characteristic features on an MRI, the identification of specific MRI biomarkers could be of great interest in managing patients with brain gliomas. My study aimed to evaluate the presence of specific MRI-derived biomarkers of IDH molecular status through conventional MRI and DWI sequences.

Diffusion model of the hollow electron lens for HL-LHC

In the upcoming years, various upgrades and improvements are planned for the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and represent the mandate of the High-Luminosity project. The upgrade will allow for a total stored beam energy of about 700 MJ, which will need, among others, an extremely efficient collimation system. This will be achieved with the addition of a hollow electron lens (HEL) system to help control the beam-halo depletion and mitigate the effects of fast beam losses. In this master thesis, we present a diffusion model of the HEL for HL-LHC. In particular, we explore several scenarios to use such a device, focusing on the halo depletion efficiency given by different noise regimes.

Local and nonlocal integro-differential reaction-diffusion models for protein dynamics in Alzheimer's disease

In this work, integro-differential reaction-diffusion models are presented for the description of the temporal and spatial evolution of the concentrations of Abeta and tau proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease. Initially, a local model is analysed: this is obtained by coupling with an interaction term two heterodimer models, modified by adding diffusion and Holling functional terms of the second type. We then move on to the presentation of three nonlocal models, which differ according to the type of the growth (exponential, logistic or Gompertzian) considered for healthy proteins. In these models integral terms are introduced to consider the interaction between proteins that are located at different spatial points possibly far apart. For each of the models introduced, the determination of equilibrium points with their stability and a study of the clearance inequalities are carried out. In addition, since the integrals introduced imply a spatial nonlocality in the models exhibited, some general features of nonlocal models are presented. Afterwards, with the aim of developing simulations, it is decided to transfer the nonlocal models to a brain graph called connectome. Therefore, after setting out the construction of such a graph, we move on to the description of Laplacian and convolution operations on a graph. Taking advantage of all these elements, we finally move on to the translation of the continuous models described above into discrete models on the connectome. To conclude, the results of some simulations concerning the discrete models just derived are presented.

Feasibility And Reproducibility Of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of The Fetal Brain In Twin-twin Transfusion Syndrome.

The aim of this study is to test the feasibility and reproducibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) evaluations of the fetal brains in cases of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). From May 2011 to June 2012, 24 patients with severe TTTS underwent MRI scans for evaluation of the fetal brains. Datasets were analyzed offline on axial DW images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps by two radiologists. The subjective evaluation was described as the absence or presence of water diffusion restriction. The objective evaluation was performed by the placement of 20-mm(2) circular regions of interest on the DW image and ADC maps. Subjective interobserver agreement was assessed by the kappa correlation coefficient. Objective intraobserver and interobserver agreements were assessed by proportionate Bland-Altman tests. Seventy-four DW-MRI scans were performed. Sixty of them (81.1%) were considered to be of good quality. Agreement between the radiologists was 100% for the absence or presence of diffusion restriction of water. For both intraobserver and interobserver agreement of ADC measurements, proportionate Bland-Altman tests showed average percentage differences of less than 1.5% and 95% CI of less than 18% for all sites evaluated. Our data demonstrate that DW-MRI evaluation of the fetal brain in TTTS is feasible and reproducible.

Crystal Structure Of (3e)-3-[(4-nitro-phen-oxy)-meth-yl]-4-phenyl-but-3-en-2-one.

In the title compound, C17H15NO4, the conformation about the C=C double bond [1.348 (2) Å] is E with the ketone group almost co-planar [C-C-C-C torsion angle = 7.2 (2)°] but the phenyl group twisted away [C-C-C-C = 160.93 (17)°]. The terminal aromatic rings are almost perpendicular to each other [dihedral angle = 81.61 (9)°] giving the mol-ecule an overall U-shape. The crystal packing feature benzene-C-H⋯O(ketone) contacts that lead to supra-molecular helical chains along the b axis. These are connected by π-π inter-actions between benzene and phenyl rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.6648 (14) Å], resulting in the formation of a supra-molecular layer in the bc plane.